ø
Latin Small O with Stroke Slashed Zero
The slashed zero (ø) represents the empty set in mathematics, serves as a distinct vowel in Danish and Norwegian, and eliminates confusion between zero and the letter O in technical documentation and programming contexts.
Technical Details
- ASCII Code
- 248
- HTML Entity
- ø
- Hexadecimal
- 0xF8
- Binary
- 11111000
- Octal
- 370
Usage & Examples
Programming
char symbol = 'ø'; // ASCII 248HTML/Web
ø or øCommon Uses
How to Type This Character
Windows
Mac
💡 Pro tip: The fastest way is to bookmark this page or copy the character from our ASCII library!
Related Characters
About the Latin Small O with Stroke Slashed Zero
Mathematical Empty Set
Universal symbol for the empty set (null set) in set theory, formal logic, and mathematical proofs. Represents the fundamental concept of 'nothingness' or 'no elements' that is essential to abstract algebra, database theory, and computational logic.
Scandinavian Vowel Sound
Essential vowel letter in Danish and Norwegian alphabets, representing a distinct rounded front vowel /ø/ that creates different words and meanings. Cannot be substituted with 'o' without changing pronunciation and meaning, serving 10+ million native speakers.
Technical Disambiguation
Prevents confusion between the digit '0' and letter 'O' in programming code, technical specifications, and scientific notation. The diagonal slash clearly identifies the character type, crucial for precision in technical communication and code readability.
Linguistic Heritage
Preserves the phonetic evolution from Old Norse through modern Scandinavian languages, maintaining the distinct vowel system that characterizes Danish and Norwegian linguistic identity in global communication.
History of the Latin Small O with Stroke Slashed Zero
Vowel System Development
Old Norse developed the rounded front vowel /ø/ through vowel mutations and linguistic evolution, creating the phonetic foundation that would require distinct orthographic representation in descendant languages.
Scandinavian Writing Systems
Danish and Norwegian scribes established ø as a standard letter to represent the distinctive vowel sound that had evolved from earlier Germanic languages, distinguishing it from other vowel letters.
Mathematical Set Theory
Mathematicians adopted ø to represent the empty set, choosing this symbol for its visual suggestion of 'nothingness' while being readily available in existing typefaces and printing systems.
Computer Science Integration
Programming languages and database systems used ø for null values and empty sets, while Scandinavian computing systems required it for proper Danish and Norwegian text representation.
Global Digital Standards
Unicode and international computing standards integrated comprehensive ø support, enabling its use in mathematical software, Scandinavian language processing, and technical documentation worldwide.
Cultural Impact
The slashed zero became a bridge between mathematical abstraction and living language, enabling both precise mathematical communication and authentic Scandinavian cultural expression in an increasingly digital world.
Usage Examples
Mathematical Set Theory
ExampleEmpty set notation in mathematical proofs and formal logic
Danish Language
ExampleCommon Danish words requiring ø for correct pronunciation and meaning
Norwegian Language
ExampleNorwegian vocabulary with essential ø vowel sound
Programming and Databases
ExampleNull value representation in computer science and database systems